McMurdo takes parting shot at Newman

Retiring Queensland Court of Appeal President Margaret McMurdo has described opposing the Newman government's "attack" on the state's court system as the pinnacle of her career, and urged the legal fraternity to keep up the fight.

Justice McMurdo clashed with the Newman government multiple times during its three-year reign, most prominently over the short-lived appointment of Tim Carmody as chief justice.

At a packed valedictory ceremony at Brisbane's Banco Court on Friday, she recalled being asked to nominate her career highlight by high school students last year, and finding the answer "easy".

"It was standing with my sister and brother judges of appeal, senior judge administrator and the judges of the trial division between 2013 and 2015 in successfully resisting a calculated and sustained attack on the independence of the Supreme Court of Queensland by some members of the legislature and the print media," she said.

She described the period as "dark days for the judges" and other judicial staff but concluded on a brighter tone, noting the "thoughtful and steady" leadership of Chief Justice Catherine Holmes.

Nevertheless, Justice McMurdo urged her soon-to-be former colleagues to not become complacent about defending the integrity of the judiciary again.

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"If so, I urge my judicial colleagues, professional associations and individual lawyers to again be courageous."

She also took aim at "irksome" urban myths about the judiciary being out of touch with the community or inclined to hand out sentences that were too lenient.

But her parting address also received laughs when she thanked her husband, Justice Philip McMurdo, by quipping: "I am afraid marrying me was not your best career move - but it was mine!"

Chief Justice Holmes also spoke warmly of Ms McMurdo and said she would be remembered as one of the "giants" of the court.

She said the outgoing Court of Appeal president had provided leadership to the court when it was needed, despite at times facing "unfounded and hurtful criticism".

"You always conducted yourself with dignity, resisting the temptation, despite some popular myth to the contrary, of ever descending into the public arena to respond or to criticise others," the chief justice said.

Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath said Queenslanders had been the "fortunate beneficiaries" of Ms McMurdo's talent and moral fortitude.

Ms D'Ath praised her role as a trailblazer for women within the legal profession, but noted they both understood there was "still a way to go".